Private school2.4K

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI

Faith-BasedTest-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Program

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

BA Theatre

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Quick Links

BA Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93, Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01, actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94, Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

Academic info

Snapshot

3.70

Avg GPA (W)

75%

Admit Rate

school-wide

68%

Grad Rate

2.4K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$15,232

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$32,946

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$13,088

$30-48k$11,290

$48-75k$14,173

$75-110k$15,584

$110k+$21,691

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated 3h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93, Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01, actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94, Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93, Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01, actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94, Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2025

Scholarship PriorityDec 1, 2025

Regular DecisionMar 1, 2026

Program AppApplication

Auditions

Michigan Educational Thespian Festival (Lansing, MI)Dec 12, 2025

Distinguished Artist Scholarship CompetitionMar 21, 2026

Audition Requirements

Optional audition for scholarship consideration - not required for program admission.

Monologues

TWO CONTRASTING MONOLOGUES (3 min max)

•Prepare two contrasting monologues from published plays

•Alternatively, prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song and one monologue

•Total audition time includes introduction, monologues or monologue and song

•No film or television monologues accepted

•Contact the Performing Arts Department for help finding monologues

Additional Materials

HEADSHOT (required)

Resume (required)

•Include theatre training and performance experience

Essay (required)

•250+ words, no specific prompt

Letters of recommendation (required)

•Two letters of recommendation

Transcript (required)

•High school transcript

Scores / gpa (optional)

•ACT/SAT scores (test-optional policy)

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply via Common App or the Detroit Mercy website (free application)

•Declare Theatre as your major in your application

Eligibility

•Test-optional admission policy

Distinguished Artist Scholarship Competition

•Separate competition for 100% full-time undergraduate tuition scholarship

•Must be accepted and file FAFSA by March 1, 2026

•This award replaces any other institutional aid previously awarded

•In-person and video auditions/interviews accepted

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Audition is for Performing Arts Talent Scholarship consideration, not required for admission to the major

•In-person: schedule a campus visit with audition and interview by emailing theatre@udmercy.edu

•Video: email your video to theatre@udmercy.edu (video files or YouTube links accepted)

•Festival: visit the Detroit Mercy table at the Michigan Educational Thespian Festival

Technical Theatre / Stage Management

•5-minute presentation discussing areas of technical interest with visual examples

•Must include a letter of recommendation from a theatre teacher or qualified professional

•After presenting, discuss your theatre passion and goals

After Performing

•All auditioners discuss their theatre passion, interest in majoring in theatre, and goals

Scholarship Info

Performing Arts Talent Scholarships

•Up to $20,000 off tuition per year

•Awarded based on scholarship audition or interview

Distinguished Artist Scholarship

•100% full-time undergraduate tuition scholarship

•Competitive audition/interview on March 21, 2026

•Must be accepted and file FAFSA by March 1, 2026

•Replaces any other institutional aid

•Must maintain 3.0 GPA and Theatre major for renewal

Academic info

Snapshot

3.70

Avg GPA (W)

75%

Admit Rate

school-wide

68%

Grad Rate

2.4K

Enrollment

$71K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$15,232

after typical aid

Tuition & Fees

$32,946

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$13,088

$30-48k$11,290

$48-75k$14,173

$75-110k$15,584

$110k+$21,691

View full data on College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national award winners (2022, 2025)

•Selected for KCACTF Region 3 Full Production performance (2025)

•Multiple Encore Michigan Wilde Awards including Best Musical and Best Play

Training

•Conservatory-style training within a BA degree

•Detroit Mercy Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of students, faculty, and professional guest artists

•State-of-the-art Black Box Theatre and Studio 164 performance spaces

•Workshops in stage combat, improvisation, and on-camera auditions

•Small class sizes with personal mentorship from working professionals

Notable Alumni

•Keegan-Michael Key '93, Emmy-winning actor known for Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!, and Wonka

•Jaime Moyer '01, actor known for Modern Family, Bob's Burgers, and AP Bio

•David DeAngelis '94, Executive Producer at Fox (Kitchen Nightmares) and HGTV

Professional Development

•Immersion trips to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other theatre centers

•Social justice focus with over $200,000 raised for community causes since 1998

•Located in Detroit, a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene

Updated 3h ago

University of Detroit Mercy

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Audition Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info